Falling for Red

High Five Novella, Book 5

By: Serena Pier

Narrated by: Connor Crais, Samantha Summers

“You always this stubborn?”
“You always this annoying?”

Thirty-two-year-old Claire Moore feels like her life is going up in flames. A newly single mom, she’s juggling a sick kid and a bartending shift when a fire breaks out at High Five in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Per usual, she has to save the day.

Enter Jake Schmidt: local firefighter, Marine veteran, and all around good guy who’s distracted by the captivating, strong, sassy, red-headed woman who manages to put out the fire moments before he arrives. And despite their tense first impression, he’s determined to win her over.

This blond guy isn’t her usual type, but with the chemistry building by the day, she has to decide if she wants to let him in. Trusting someone new isn’t easy, especially when you’ve been burned before.

This heartfelt Fourth of July romance is perfect for fans of strong heroines, golden retriever heroes, protagonists in their thirties, and steamy small town summer nights.

©2025 Serena Pier LLC (P)2025 Serena Pier LLC

Good

Another great book. Short and a fast read. I really enjoyed it!! Like these short books

Chefs kiss

Wished the story was longer, but the story is so sweet. Loved it. Narrators were amazing.

I wish that this wasn’t just a novel but a full length novel

I wish that this wasn’t just a novel but a full length novel. I absolutely love this story. Claire is amazing. I love her. And let’s be real. Jake is like a complete dream. Come true. The spices is amazingly spicy. The plot and storyline was actually really good. I wish there was more of it.

Love all the banter!!!

I absolutely loved this summertime read! The banter between Jake and Claire is chefs kiss! 😘 It was such a fun read! The 34 year old single mom is trying her hardest to juggle her responsibilities. While working her bartending shift at the local dive bar High Five. Claire receives a call from her daughter’s (Gabby) daycare that she needs to pick her up early because she’s sick. Being the only one at the bar and unable to leave she calls the bar manager (Aaron) letting him know the situation and that she needs to leave! While talking to him the fire alarm starts blaring. She hangs up dialing 911 when she spots the fire. 🔥 But what does the stubborn, fierce, and independent woman do? She just has to save the day! She makes sure everyone is out and gets to work putting the fire out. When the firefighters arrive on scene Jake is amazed at the beautiful, independent and sassy red-headed woman that managed to get the fire out before they arrived. Sparks definitely fly between these two! Jake isn’t usually her type but the chemistry that ignites between them both is undeniable. She not sure about letting another guy in her life but Jake is determined to win her and gabby both over! Read to find out what happens with this 4Th of July themed love story! Things definitely heat up between them. And the spice is definitely spicy! 🌶️ Also the audio for the book is amazing. Definitely recommend an immersive read to give you the full experience! The narrator’s done an amazing job!

Tropes include: single mom, small town, holiday romance, he falls first, pleasure dom, men in uniform, slow burn, later in life romance!

The FMC is insufferable!!!

The narration was fantastic, the story itself was okay.

I was really excited to listen to this book since I had enjoyed the others in this series so much. I was so completely disappointed by the characters. The FMC was insufferable and extremely difficult to connect with as a reader. While there are several valid reasons to not date someone, having a red lives matter flag on the back of their truck is not one. Honestly, what single mother worries about that kind of bs. Who was this book for? Then there are the constant digs she takes at his personality, past military service, his boundaries that he was upfront about, his looks. If she could find a way to tear him down she took it. It’s all passed off as playful banter between the MCs. What the FMC is doing is not playful, it’s rude. The MMC takes everything the FMC does as a joke as if he is a doormat. He’s just so interested in her, but continues to call her out on the digs.


If I ever when on a date with a person who treated me like this, especially on the first date, I would leave.